Berry Head

About this route

The towering cliffs and rocky headland of Berry Head are the wildlife gems of Torbay. The extensive areas of limestone grassland and scrub are home to many rare plants including white rock-rose, small restharrow, autumn squill and a range of orchids. In all, around 500 plant species have been recorded. There is also much to interest bird watchers. The sea cliffs support the largest guillemot colony along the south coast of England (reaching over 1000 birds). Kittiwakes and fulmars regularly breed here and areas of scrub provide shelter for whitethroats. Caves support an important population of rare greater horseshoe bats.

Getting Around

On foot: The South West Coast Path runs through the site.

By train and bus: There is a mainline train station at nearby Paignton and bus services from Brixham to Berry Head, see www.journeydevon.info.

By car: Accessed from Brixham there is a pay and display car park here.

Facilities
Visitor centre with toilets, refreshments and live CCTV pictures of the guillemot colony during the summer.
Terrain
Flat easy walking path from car park to Berry Head. Alternatively the coastal footpath route has some cliff edges.
Accessibility

Interesting information

Berry Head is a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Photo of grassy fields down to coastal cliffs and the sea at Berry Head
Berry Head Copyright Steve Daniels, licenced for reuse - see geograph.org.uk

You can explore more in this area

Photo along the South Devon coast showing fields, coastal cliffs and sea with the Daymark in the distance
205miles/
329kms

South West Coast Path

Over the centuries fishermen, coastguards and smugglers have helped to create this historic path – now Britain’s longest National Trail -…